Three years after parting ways with the T&T Football Federation (TTFF), Raymond Tim Kee was elected president of the local governing body for the sport unopposed, at the congress, hosted at Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s, yesterday.
Tim Kee, the only nominated candidate, acquired the position without receiving a vote, following former national cricketer and sports analyst Colin Murray’s decision to step down nine days prior to the election.
Lennox Watson, formerly the federation’s interim president, also opted out of the race. Watson took up the temporary portfolio as president, following the resignation of former long-standing chief Oliver Camps in October, last year, after 19 years at the helm.
Eastern Football Association (EFA) chairman Wayne Cunningham described the congress as the best attended he has witnessed. All member associations were present, with the exception of the National Primary Schools Football League.
Tim Kee subsequently addressed the stakeholders and assured them of his commitment to serve in an “inclusive” capacity.
“Under my stewardship, no voice will be silenced; no idea suppressed and no thought expressed will be left unconsidered,” said the former TTFF first vice-president.
Tim Kee said that he will not pretend to be oblivious of the federation’s reputation, but will instead work toward “mending the breaches”.
“Like the proverbial ostrich, I am not prepared to bury my head in the sand at what has been both the recent and antecedent memory of our federation, but as president, what I am prepared to do is trod the beaten paths that would bring about healing to those who have been wounded, reconciliation for those who have been ostracised and redemption for the many who have been left behind.”
Tim Kee offered a response to Murray who warned him against victimisation of those who were in his support.
“My friend, I have heard your warning and let me allay all fears that nothing that Raymond Tim Kee does is ever marked by vindictiveness.”
He also dismissed the perception of being a minion saying: “Those who know me within football before, know that Raymond Tim Kee is his own man and a fully made one as well. I am not here to be dictated to by anyone. I am here to facilitate open discussion and develop discourse that would assist in ensuring that the TTFF is the most dominant and successful Federation in the Concacaf... That is my raison d’être as president.”
Following his appointment, the new president is expected to face immediate challenges, not limited to an unsettled bonus dispute between the federation and 13 players of the T&T World Cup 2006 squad, and mending of a disjointed relationship between the TTFF and the Ministry of Sport, which has resulted in an inconsistency in funding.
Source: www.guardian.co.tt